lol deb... :)
Do you have a Vitex tree?
Oh yeah, I forgot to comment on the sunflower! Mine is a native, but not the Max, but every seed germinates! WHOA!! The two I had lived a long and very useful life but I'm pulling sunflowers up by the hundreds!
Purple Mistflower...another favorite in my garden but becoming extremely unruly this year!! It seems to be from runners rather than seeds tho. I'm going to cut it back this year mid-season.
...and what about Obedient plant?! I haven't figured out if it's spreading so profusely from seed or runners. ?? I'm going to have to try and remember to deadhead it this year. It blooms so late tho that it's buried in a million zinnias and I forget about it....until spring!
I think my Obedients are spreading from runners, and when you pull them and leave a little root, another will pop up. They bloom so long I will put up with them though.
Hear that Sheila!
The ones you gave me are still single plants and doing well.. After planting them last year they bloomed just a little bit before the freezes came, so they are still pretty compact... I just love em~
Speaking of freezes.....we might get chilly tomorrow & Sunday. I have my burlap ready, might run get another roll today.
Deb
Oh, heed my warning ladies! The first few years they were fine and I too thought they were under control and were so worth it. The last 2 years I've been pulling them out by the bucketful! They do spread by runners, far off from where they start, but I pull out hundreds that have huge root systems of their own on a tiny plant. I think these are from seed. The worst thing is that they get in the middle of of other plants!
I love them and plan on keeping them, but I don't think I could get rid of them even if I wanted to.
I'd love to have some so bring them to the RU. At least they will cover up the stumps of the hibiscus........
Ann
Then I might transplant one of the plants to an area I would like to fill in... good idea Ann.
Paige~What do you think they will do around Salvia and some ground cover plants?
What the Obedient plant will do? It will spread right into the other plant. I've pulled half of mine out before and it didn't phase it. It's just as thick and spread everywhere else. This month I've been pulling it out of my Mexican Bush sage and my Duranta. It grows right up in the middle of the plants.
When it warms up again I'll take pics of what I'm pulling up and show you they aren't all runners. They're individual plants with tons of roots. Some are runners and I try and get as much of that as I can. The little roots usually require digging quite a bit of dirt out with them too. This year II'm going to try and keep track of the seeds growing in that area to see if they are all new plants.
I moved some to the back corner of my bed last year and like it there because there's nothing for it to spread into.
OK cool Paige, That is exactly what I needed to know. Shiela and I chuckled when she made the comment, "I don't know why they call it obeident, it doesn't mind very well." LOL!
I will move it in the next few days... and the Goldenrod too..
Thanks!
Deb
LOL!
MIne really has never bloomed nice big full blooms.. Does yours Melanie? It sure grows fast though.
I can't believe this crumby weather is moving in...
Rj
Yes, IMO I think that would be a good idea. The Goldenrod seems to be more aggressive and harder to get up, so get it early. I've had to use a long shovel and dig up big patches of dirt to get down and get the runner. Pox on it! (as my dad would say)
This is so off topic from my Vitex tree, but hey, it's my thread...LOL....but have you seen the root on a 4'oclock?!!!! OMG!! I dug one up recently and heard a crack and was just amazed when I dug this gigantic rock (root) out!!! Part of it cracked on the side but I just stick it back on (lol) and replanted it. Wow! Is that normal?
Yes, they look lik carrots or turnips on the older plants. LOL! They are also very deep. I have dug and moved mine around so much they are apt to spring up anywhere. For such a deep root you would think it could stand more full sun than it can. It gets wilted looking in the middle of a hot afternoon.
Which blooms were ya talking about, RJ? Our vitex blooms? If yes, then indeedy...my trees are usually covered in them.. :)
Melanie
I mean the purple leafed one. It doesn't bloom anywhere near the other type I have.
You are right, Sheila. Thanks for reminding me that they get so wilty. I forgot so I'll make sure to keep an eye on it. I think it must be the one that has almost a red bloom. It's my favorite but I rarely see it because it got covered up.
I've got tons of pink babies coming up in another area but it gets shade so this plant grew real big. I wonder what that root looks like. Yikes! The one I dug up looked like a giant turnip. I guess moving them when they are young is best.
Next spring, I need to plant a tree (afternoon sun--hot North Texas) right next to my pool deck. I have figs, and they do very well, but I would like something else that would thrive without breaking up my deck or messing with my pool pipes (in-ground). Does anyone have any experience/ideas?
I planted my first vitex this summer. I love it! But I want to train it to a tree, not a bush. When should I trim its lower shoots?
I trim mine all year around to train it..
tutroy,
You might consider finding one at your local gardening center now. HDepot had some here last week. You could find them on sale. Fall planting is just as good if you can swing it. The roots will have time to dig in over the winter.
Train it like you want.. (bush or tree shape).
Just a thought.
debnes
Do not get a Bradford Pear, a plumber replacing our sewer line told us they are bad about seeking out water lines. Wouldn't be good around your pool pipes. If it is near your pool, consider what is falling (leaves, nuts, etc) during your periods that you will have it uncovered.
I agree Sheila.